Data storage apparatus



March 30, 1965 A. D. LIN ETAL 3,176,279

DATA STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. ANDREW D. LIN DENNIS D. WIL LARD DONALD D. JOHNSON WXM A! forney A. D. LIN ETAL March 30, 1965 Filed Feb. 9, 1959 March 30, 1965 A. D. LIN ETAL 3,176,279

DATA STORAGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NONSYNCHRONOUS DRI\ /ER F F R LIN AND CELL ADDRESS SUBCELL ADDRESS REG STER ADDRESS BIN DRIVES: I

TO OTHER A. D. LIN ETAL DATA STORAGE APPARATUS C LUTCH READ-WRITE STATION March 30, 1965 Filed Feb. 9, 1959 DRIVER SYNCHRONOUS OVERRIDING STRIP ADDRESS SOLENOID TRANSDUCER WITCH IN G 6 R o u P "A" MATRIX United States Patent 0 3,176,279 DATA STQRAGE APPARATUS Andrew D. Lin, Campbell, Dennis D. Willard, San Jose,

and Donald D. Johnson, Los Gatos, Calih, assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New

York, N.Y., a corporation of New Yorlr Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 792,168 16 tClaims. (Cl. Mil-174.1)

This invention relates in general to data storage apparatus and in particular to improved random access data storage apparatus in which data is stored on a plurality of comparatively short, noncyciic-type, compliant record carriers and in which each of the strips is selectively presentable to a read-write transducer in a cyclic manner.

Various arrangements for storing data on record members in the form of binary coded representations have been disclosed in the prior art. The record members employed by these arrangements may be conveniently classified as either cyclic carriers or noncyclic carriers. A magnetic drum or disc is an example of a cyclic carrier while a conventional magnetic tape file is an example of a noncyclic carrier.

A cyclic carrier has two important advantages over a noncyclic carrier. Conventional cyclic carriers such as rums and discs are readily adaptable to random access, that is, a particular record is directly addressable. Sec ondly, the transferring of data to and from the carrier by the transducer is more easily achieved since the record is being repeatedly presented to the transducer.

In contrast to these advantages a noncyclic carrier such as a magnetic tape has the advantage that a given amount or" data may be stored in a smaller physical space. He. ever, direct access to a selected record is quite impractical. In addition, because of the noncyclic nature of a conventional magnetic tape storage file, a reciprocal or back and forth motion is necessary to scan a record twice in succession.

In order to provide more direct access to a selected 'ecord in a tape file, it has been suggested by the prior art that the magnetic tape may be divided into a number of individual segments which are stacked in suitable arrays. Such suggested arrangements have the advantage that the access time to a selected record may be reduced and also maintain the space advantage of conventional tape files. However, each selected record strip still functions as a noncyclic-type carrier, mainly because the strip is never completely retracted from its storage location. As a result, a reciprocal or back and forth motion is still required for each scan of the record. In applications where the record is being continually updated, the recording and reproducing operation becomes more complex from the standpoint of the remaining portion of the system. As a result, such arrangements have had a rather limited practical application.

The present invention eliminates this disadvantage of strip-type storage apparatus by means of a novel arrangemerit in which each strip may be presented to a readwrite transducer in a cyclic manner. The advantages from a system standpoint inherent in cyclic carriers are pick a selected strip, wrap it on the drum and return it to its original position; suitable means for relatively positioning the strip pickup device adjacent a selected strip; and means for rotating the drum member in two direc- 3,175,279 Patented Mar. 30, l filii tions in response to control signals to cause operation of the strip pickup device.

it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved data storage apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact data storage apparatus employing a plurality of cyclic-type carriers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in an apparatus employing a large number of individual strips for data storage, means for selectively presenting each strip to the read-write transducer in a cyclic manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a data storage apparatus in which a strip record disposed in a bin and having data recorded thereon may be completely retracted from the bin, wrapped on a drum for cyclic presentation to a transducer, and subsequently returned to the bin.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose, by way of example, tne principle of the invention and the best mode which has been contemplated of applying that principle.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a data storage apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one of the cells of storing the strip records.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the movable read-write station.

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the strip selector unit.

FIGS. 4 through 40 are views illustrating schematically the removal of tie strip from the bin, the wrapping of the strip on the drum for cyclic presentation to the readwrite transducer, and the replacement of the strip in the cell.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the means for driving the drum to perform the operation shown in FIGS. 4 through 4c.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the access system for presenting a selected character channel to the read-write transducer.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the data storage apparatus shown therein comprises generally a relatively large plurality of separate record strips ill which are stored in a bin array assembly ll. The bin array assembly 11 comprises ten bins 12,

each bin being divided into ten cells 13 and each cell eing divided into ten subcells 14. The bins 12 are slidably mounted relative to each other along parallel axes so that any cell 13 of a bin may be positioned relative to a reference axis which is at a right angle to the motion of the bin. The partitions 16 between cells are therefore parallel to the reference axis While the partitions 17 between subcells are parallel to the motion of the bin. Each subcell 14 comprises ten individual record strips 19 which are disposed With their planar surfaces parallel to the motion of the bins. The strips id are similar except for the position of an ear portion ill. in each subcell 14 the ear portions 18 of the strips 10 are located differently, preferably in an offset relationship relative to each other to facilitate the selection of a desired strip by the particular strip selection device illustrated and explained later on in the specification.

The upper portion of one record strip may be seen in PEG. 2. The strip iii in practice is approximately 1%" wide, 11 long and .005" thick with a magnetizable surface 19 on one side. The base material of the strip be a flexible material such as Mylar t'ype plastic. However, the particular details of the record form no part of the present invention and any suitable compliant record strip known in the art may be employed.

The strip 14) is capable of storing 70 parallel recording I station 21 which is shown in detail in FIG. 3.

tracks with each track capable of recording 10,000 binary bits of information. 'In' the apparatus disclosed, chart in the illustrated arrangement is determined by the thickacters are recorded parallelly by bit and serially by ch-aracter along parallel tracks extending normal to the free edge 15 of the strip. Assuming a character is definable by seven binary bits, ten character channels are provided on each record strip with each channel having the capacity of storing ten thousand separate data characters in addition to control characters. Each striplfl therefore stores one hundred thousand characters plus control information, each subcell 14 stores one million characters, each cell 13 stores ten million characters, each bin stores one hundred million characters, and hence the complete bin assembly 11, as illustrated, has a capacity of one billion separate 7-bit characters. The physicalspace occupied by the bin array 11 is approximately two feet square by eighteen inches deep.

, The apparatus further includes a movable read-write With'reference to FIG. 3, the read-write station 21 is mounted for 'movement along the reference axis at right angles to the movement of the bins 12 and comprises generally a rotatable drum member 22, a device 23 carried by the drum for picking a selected strip'10 from a subcell, wrapping relationship to the strip 10 when it is wrapped on the'drum 22. The drum member 22 is mounted on a shaft 26;

which is disposed in suitable bearings (not shown) in the housing 27 for the read-write station. The drum '22 rotates on an axis which is parallel to the motion of the bins and is provided with a circumferential flange 28 which acts as an accurate edge for referencing the record strip 10 axially of the drum. Suitable biasing means'may be provided for urging the strip 10 to this reference edge. .As shown, this biasing means comprises a spider-type leaf spring 29 which engages the long edge of the strip as it is being wrapped on the drum 22. 7 v

The means for retractinga selected strip 10 from a subcell 14 and wrapping it on the drum comprises the strip picking device 23 which is carried by the drum 22. The

drum may be provided with-a portion of its circumferen tial surface recessed or cut away to allow the picking device 23 to be positioned below the surface during rotation- The picking device, as shown in FIG. 3, has a. U-shaped member 31 whose arms 32 are mounted in the drum 22 for swinging movement about an axisZSX which is disposed parallel to the drum shaft 26 and radially inward of the curvedsurface 33 of the. drum. Attached to the base portion 34 of the U-shaped member 31 is a picker body 36 which carries a comb-like latch member 37 (seen 'ness of 'a subcell 14 or, in other words, the thickness of The reason for this will become obvious as the ten strips. operation of the strip selection unit 50' is explained.

The strip selecting unit 50, asshown in FIG. 3a, includes a pair of stationary guiderods 51 which, in the present embodiment, are fixedly attached to the housing 27 of the read-write station 21 and hence move with the read-write station. The housing 27 has been omitted in FIG. 3:2 for clarity reasons. The axes of the guide rods 51 are parallel to the drum axis 26 andlieina plane normal to the planesof the record strips; The guide rods 51 are'spaced apart in this plane in a direction transverse to their axes for a distance which allows the strip picking device 23 to pass through. A separatorarm 52 is slidably mounted on'each guide rod 51 for movement along the axisof. the rod. The'distal ends 54 of the arms are offset relative to each other in the axial direction for a distance slightly greater than the width of one ear portion 18 of a strip and'are ganged together for conjoint movement along theax'es'of their respective guide rods 51 by means of a connector 53 which is broken away in FIG. 3a. Connector 53 is attached to the strip selection positioning means as shown in FIG. 6. The separator arms 52 are also mounted for pivotal movement in opposite directions about their respective guide'r-ods 51 and are biased tothe position shown in FIG. 4 wherein their distal ends 54 overlap and lie on opposite sides of the plane containing thestrip picking device 23.

I The strip selection mechanism further includes a means for conjointly moving the separator arms axially to position the offset arms 52 on opposite sides'of the ear portion 18 of the selected strip 10 so that upon rotation of the separatorarms 52 in the downward direction the upper portions of thestrips 10 on both sides'of the selected strip are bent away from the selected strip thereby presenting only one strip 10 to the strip. picking device 23. The strip picking positioning means is discussed further in the specification in relation to the overall access system shown in FIG. 6..

The downward pivotal movement of the separator arms 52 may be obtained in response to the downward thrust of the pickerbody 36 as the drum22 is rotatedcounter- I clockwise,. as shown in FIG.,4a, or a separate driving in FIG. 3a) mounted for rocking motion relative tothe pickup body36.v The pickupbody '36 and comb latch member 37 extend parallel to the top edges of the strips 10. for a distance corresponding to the strip width and are guided in their movement along a picking path by suitable guides 38 disposed in the housing 27; The teeth of the comb-like latch member 37 are spaced in accordance with thespacing of the pickup holes 39 in the offset ear I portions 18 of the ten strips which make up each subcell 14; The comb-like latch member 37 is spring biased to a position wherein each tooth cooperates with a' portion of the pickup body 36 to form a jaw-like latch. A spring biased pivotally mounted strip release bar 41 actuated by; a cam plate 42.is also provided for releasing the combi like latch'member 37 as explained laterin the specification. The strip picking device 23 when in a'ready'position;

' lies parallel to' the plane of the ten strips of a subcell 14 1 and is disposed on a strip picking path defined by the guides .38, In this instance the strippicking path is subs'tantially straight and .tangeirtto the drumi 22. The distal edge of the pickup body36, which is adjacent the means may be provided.

.In order to facilitate replacement of the strip 10 in the subcell, each arm 52 is provided with a latch element 56. The arms '52are therefore latched'in the open position as shown in FIG. 3a until the selected strip is returned to the bin. The latch elements 56 may be released by a latch cam plate (not shown) which is under the control of the drum position and a returnsigna'l. The strip selection means 50, described above serveslas the preferred means for presenting a singlestrip 1 0 to. the strip picking device 23, although other devicesmay be employed if desired.

In order for the selected strip 10 to be picked, wrapped on the drum member 22 and returned to the subcell 14, it is necessary to'rotate-the drum in both directions 'in a predetermined sequence. As mentioned previously, the

home or readypo'sition of the drum 22 and picking device 23 is illustrated'in FIG. 4 wherein the strip picking device 23 is guided in theplane of the subcell 14 containing the selected record strip along a path which is substantially in a tangential relationship with the surface of the drum.

In picking the selected strip, the drum 22 is first rotated counterclockwise through .a predetermined angle a to ca lse' the picking unit 23 tolatch onto the selected strip 10, as shown'-inFIG. 4a. The 'rotationof the drum 22 n is then reversed to a clockwise rotation which causes the free edge of the strips, is provided with a V-shaped slot 44. I I

forrguidinglth'e selected strip;1 0, into engagement with the latch member'37. Theopening of the V-shaped slot 44 strip to be'retracted from the subcell and wrapped on thedrum which has a circumference slightly lessthan the length of the strip so that the end portion 10E of the strip' overlaps the free edge 15" which is held by the picker. body 36,."asshown inzFIG; 4b. Suitable strip guidesinthe form of rollers 60 may be provided adjacent the drum 22 to insure compliance of the strip ill to the drum surface. A pair of these guide rollers 60 are shown on opposite sides of the transducer unit 24. The drum may be rotated clockwise for any desired number of complete revolutions so that the tracks on the record strip Ill are presented to the transducer unit 24 in a cyclic fashion. Upon completion of the data transferring operation by the transducer unit the rotation of the drum is again reversed at a predetermined angular location which corresponds to the end portion 19E of the strip being positioned adjacent the guide surface formed by the housing. This position may also be represented in FiG. 4b. Rotation of the drum 22 counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 4b returns the strip it) to its original position in the subcell. Immediately prior to the strip hitting bottom the strip release bar 41 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 4b and engages the toe portion 37T of the comb-like latch member 37, causing it to be rocked to a release position as shown in FIG. 40. The rotation of the drum 22 is again reversed so that the drum rotates clockwise through the angle a to the ready position shown in FIG. 4 where it is stopped.

The means 66 for rotating the drum 22 to provide the desired operation illustrated in H63. 4 through 40 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5. The driving means 66, illustrated in block form in FIG. 5 which corresponds to the block designated by the similar reference number in FIG. 1, is disclosed in detail in copending application Serial No. 791,643, filed February 6, 1959, now patent 2,923,172, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Hence, the description of tr e diagrammatically illustrated driving means 66 shown in FIG. 5 is limited to the extent necessary to provide an understanding of its operation and function in the disclosed environment. Further details of driving means 66 may be had by reference to the above mentioned copending application.

With reference to FIG. 5, the driving means comprises a nonsynchronous motor 67 which is designed to drive the driven member 68 in a forward direction through a torsion shaft 69 and an electromagnetically operated spring-type clutch 70, and in the reverse direction through a torsion bar 71 and a reversing gear drive 72 which is also clutched to the driven member 68 by an electromagnetically operated spring-type clutch 73. A synchronous driver 74 is also connected to the driven member 68 through an overriding clutch 76. The synchronous driver 74 and the overriding clutch 76 function to maintain the speed of the driven member 625 constant in the forward direction and are disconnected from the driven member 6% when it is moved in the reverse direction. The speed and direction of the driven member 63 may therefore be controlled by supplying suitable control signals selectively to the solenoids 70S and 738 of the electromagnetic spring clutches.

As shown in FIG. 1, the driving means 66 is spaced from the drum 22 of the read-write station 21 and a tape 78 is employed to transmit the motion of the driven member 68 to the drum shaft 26, the tape being selectively clutched to the drum shaft by a suitable clutching device located in the box designated by reference character 79 in FIGS. 1 and 311. However, it should be noted that the driving means 66 may be connected directly to the drum 22 and moved with the readwrite station. Similarly, other types of driving means capable of performing the same function may be employed if desired.

The transfer of data to and from the record strip when it is wrapped on the drum is accomplished by the readwrite transducer unit 24 in accordance with conventional recording techniques well known in the art. Any suitable magnetic transducer means may be employed and, while only one transducer unit 24 is shown, it will be obvious that a number of such transducer units may be employed at circumferentially spaced locations around the drum 22 as desired. Similarly, while the transducer unit shown is a combination read-write type of transducer, individual write transducers and individual read transducers may be provided. The transducer unit may be of the type where the transducer element is in actual contact with the strip or of the air bearing type wherein the transducer element is spaced from the actual record ing surface by a thin film of air.

The transducer unit 24 is shown schematically in FIG. 6 and includes 35 separate transducer elements 8%) arranged in live groups with seven elements per group. The elements Stl are ganged for conjoint movement by a positing device S68 discussed later in connection with the access system shown in FIG. 6. The 35 separate elements are connected to a transducer switching matrix 86E wherein any one of the five groups of seven elements may be made selectively operable to transfer data to and from a selected character channel on the selected strip.

The access system for the apparatus, as shown in PEG. 6, functions to provide access to any selected character channel in the bin array assembly 11 for the transfer of data to and from that channel. The access system 81, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG 6, comprises means $2 for moving a selected bin 12.8 to position a selected cell 138 centrally of the reference axis corresponding to the movement of the read-write station 21, means 83 for moving the read-write station 21 along this reference axis to, together with the strip selection device 5%) and the strip picking device 23 over the selected subcell 148, means 8- 5 attached to connector 53 for moving the strip selection device Stl parallel to the ten strips 10 of the selected subcell 148 to position the separator arms 52 on either side of the ear portion 183 of the selected strip 165, means 86 for selecting a particular character channel on the strip 168 which comprises mechanical means 368 for moving the transducer unit 24 transversely of the character channels to one of two positions and electronic means 86E for selectively operating one of five groups of transducer elements 30 corresponding to the selected character channel.

The positioning means 8284 for the bins 12, the readwrite station 21 and the strip selection device 50 and the transducer unit 24 are all shown diagrammatically by blocks in that the details of these devices per se form no part of the present invention. Any suitable mechanical, electrical or hydraulic positioning device known in the art may be employed. For example, for hydraulic positioning device disclosed in copending application Serial No. 782,387, filed December 29, 1958, and now Patent No. 3,090,201, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention may be employed for discretly positioning the bins 12, the read-write station 21 and the strip selection unit 54) in response to address signals, while the transducer unit positioning device 868 may in the sim plest form comprise an electromagnetic solenoid-type positioning device.

Similarly, the electronic elements selecting device 86E may comprise any suitable type of electronic switching arrangement capable of performing the function of selecting one of five groups of elements 80. Since such circuits are known in the art, the group selection matrix 86B is shown also in block form.

Each character channel A--] contained in the bin array has a unique address and the various components of the access system operate in response to different portions of the address. For example, the address of a character channel is defined by the bin, the cell, the subcell, the strip in the subcell, the position of the transducer unit, and the switch connection of the matrix. It should be noted that each of the components of the access system operates in a parallel fashion or on a time sharing basis so that the access times of the components are not accumulative.

The operation of the data storage apparatus is as follows. Assuming an address signal is supplied to the access system from an address register 90, the bin and cell address portion thereof actuates the corresponding bin positioning means 82 and causes the bin 12 tojbe moved as shown in FIGQ I so that the Corresponding cell, is positioned relative to the reference axis of the read write station 21. Simultaneously, the subcell address is supplied to the positioning means'83 of the read-write station 21 which actuates means 83 to position the readwrite station 21 and the strip selection device 50relative to the corresponding subcell 148. Also simultaneously the strip address is supplied to the strip selection positioning'means 84 attached to bar connector 53 which positions the olfset selector arms 52 on either side of the ear portion 183 of the selected strip 108. The character channel address may also be supplied to. the character channel selection means 86 at this time to actuate the solenoid 868 to position the transducer unit 24 relative to the correlspondingi set of character channels. The group address applied to the selection matrix therefore connects the corresponding groups of transducer elements 80 to the data line 91 so that thecharacter channel corresponding to the complete address supplied'to the accessssystern is 1, a strip pickup signal is supplied to the drum clutch, causingthe drum 22 to rotate counterclockwisefrom the position shown in FIG. '4 to the position shown in FIG. 4a. The downward thrust of the strip picking device 23 forces the separator arms 52 apart, causing the strips on either side of the selected strip 10Sto be moved out of alignment with the V-shaped notch 44 of the strip picker body 36. On engagement of the comb-like latch member 37 in the hole 39 of thejselected strip 108, the rotation of the drum 22 is reversed at this instant by supplying a suitable control signal to the solenoid 705 of drive clutch of the driving means 66. v V

1 The rotation of the drum 22 is now clockwise, which causes the strip 108 to be retracted from the subcell 14S and wrapped on the drum 22 as shown in 'FIG. 4b. The data transfer operation may begin on the first or subsequent pass of the strip past the transducer unit 24; depending uponthe time required for the drum 22 to obtain operating speed. In the embodiment shown, the driving means 66 illustrated is sufiicient to bring the drum'up to recording speed if the transducer unit '24 is'slightly more,

than 180 from-'the'initial starting point of the strip. In" other words, the operational speed of drum22, which is substantially 1200r.p.m.,' may be'obtained.somewhere'becuitry (not shown) and depends primarily upon the particular data processing operation being=performed. It will? the forward to the pQsition shown in FIG. 4b by the solenoid operated cam plate 42 so that the comb-like latch member 37 en-' gages, the strip release bar 41 and releases the strip as shown in FIG. 4c. The rotation of the drum 22 is again reversed by application of a control signal to the solenoid 765 of the forward drive clutch 70 which retracts the empty strip'picking device 23 and returns the drum 22 to the position shown in FIG. 4. The separator arm latches 56 are released by movement of a cam plate (not shown) allowing the separator arms 52 of the strip selection device 59 to return also to the positionshown in FIG; 4.' A

clutch release signal is supplied to the drum clutchso that the apparatus may be addressed to the next desired strip. The maximum time required for the foregoing sible. V For'example, by providing two similar read-write a0 stations, the access time to a selected character channel could be reduced effectively, in that while one station is transferring data, the other station could be movingto another address location. Additionally, the data storage capacity of the apparatus may be increased from one bilthe tape 78 is moving counterclockwise as shown in FIG.

lion characters to two billion characters by providing a recording surface 19 on both sides of the strip and turning the second read-write station 180" to thetone illustrated in FIG. 1, so that in picking a strip the opposite side of 'the strip is presented to its transducer unit.

7 While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that-various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation'may be made by those skilled in the art, with out departing from the spirit ofthe invention. It is'the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is: a r

1. A random access data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of separate'short compliant noncyclie type record carriers for storing data, means for V cyclic manner to presentthe full length of the carrier to be sufiicient for an understanding of the present invention to assume that data'signals supplied to the data line-91j the transducer unit'during a single cycle of movement of the carrier. i 2. A random accessdata storage apparatus-comprising 1n combination-a plurality-short flexible separate strips for storing data, means for storing said strips in an array, g a transducer umt mounted in a fixed position and operable to transfer data signal representations to and from a selected strip, means for removing a selected strip corn-v pletely from the array and. transporting said strip from during awrite operation will be recorded bythe trans ducer unit 24 on the character channel selected and that during 'avread operation the data recorded on the selected transducer unit 24'.

mined by programmed criteria external to' the storage apparatus, a reverse signaljis suppliedto thesol'enoid 738 of the reverse drive spring clutch 73 to cause COUHtBFCIOCke I wise rotation of the drum; ,At the beginning of this character channel issu'pplied to the data line 91 by the counterclockwise rotation thewangular position of the drum 22 is represented by F IG. 4b whereinthefend of the strip 10E is adjacent the strip guide 38 formedtin'the ho'usingl counterclockwise rotation of'the'drum replaces the strip in the subcell as showninFIG. 4;. [At some 'time subseqnent to the strip removal and prior'to the replacement'of the strip, the latch release bar 41 is actuated rotation of the member;

the array to'said transducer unit, and means for translating the strip relativeto said transducer unit in a cyclic manner'to present the full lengthof thestrip. to thetransducer unit during a single cycle of 'movementof the strip.

, 3. A random access data storage apparatus comprising 7 in combination a plurality ofshort compliant strips for storing datarepresentations, means for storing saidstrips man array, a transducer'unit mounted in a'fixed position and operable to transfer datarepresentations toand from a selected strip, and means including 'a'mechanism having a device for removing aselected strip completely from the array and-a member-for rotating said device'andsaid stripi'n'a cyclic manner relative to'said unit whereby data representations may be transferred toia'nd from; said selectedstripover the full length thereof during a single 4. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of short separate compliant record carriers, means for storing said carriers in an array with a portion of each said carrier accessible to a carrier picking device, a transducer unit, and means for presenting a selected carrier to said transducer unit in a cyclic manner comprising a carrier picking device, means for rendering a selected one of said carriers accessible to said carrier picking device, a member mounted for rotation relative to said transducer unit, means pivotally mounting one end of said carrier picking device in a recess portion of said member to cause the position of said picking device to be controlled by the angular position of said member measured from a predetermined home position, means operable during rotation of said member from said home position through a predetermined angle for guiding the distal end of said carrier picking device along a carrier picking path extending from a selected carrier to a point tangently disposed on the circle described by the pivotal axis of said device as its rotates about the axis of said member, and driving means connected to said m mber for rotating said member to cause the selected carrier to be picked and wrapped on said member for cyclic presentation to said transducer unit.

5. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of separate compliant record strips for storing data, means mounting said strips in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said strips parallel, a read-write station comprising a transducer unit and means for translating a selected one of said record strips to said transducer unit in a cyclic manner, said translating means comprising a drum member having a circumferential surface corresponding in length to the length of one of said record strips, means mounting said drum for rotation about an axis parallel to said free edges and spaced from said transducer unit to position said surface adjacent said transducer unit, strip picking means, means mounting said picking means in a recess portion of said drum surface for pivotal movement from a first strip picking position substantially tangent to the curved surface of said drum to a second position recessed below the surface of said drum, means for guiding said picking means into picking engagement with the free edge of said selected strip upon rotation of said drum whereby further rotation of said drum retracts the selected strip from said strip mounting means and wraps it on the drum for cyclic presentation to said transducer unit.

6. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of separate compliant record strips for storing data, means for maintaining said strips in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said rips in diiierent strip picking planes, a read-write station including a transducer unit and means for translating a selected one of said record strips relative to said transducer unit in a cyclic manner, said translating means comprising a strip receiving member mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said free edges and spaced from said transducer unit to position the surface of a received strip in data transferring relationship with said transducer unit, strip picking means, means mounting said picking means in a recess portion of said strip receiving member for pivotal movement from a first strip picking position parallel to said strip picking planes to a second position in said recessed portion, means disposed adjacent said member for guiding said strip picking means into picking engagement with the free edge of a selected strip upon rotation of said strip receiving member in one direction through a predetermined angle whereby rotation of said strip receiving member in the opposite direction causes the selected strip to be received and translated relative to the transducer unit in a cyclic fashion.

7. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of separate compliant record strips each having a magnetizable surface for storing data, means for maintaining said strips in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said strips in different strip picking planes, a read-write station including a magnetic transducer unit and means for translating a selected one of said record strips relative to said transducer unit in a cyciic manner, said translating means comprising a strip receiving member mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said free edges and spaced from said transducer unit to position the surface of a received strip in flux transferring relationship with said magnetic transducer unit, strip picking means operable to engage the free edge of a selected strip, means mounting said picking means in a recessed portion of said strip receiving member for pivotal movement from a first strip picking position parallel to said strip picking planes to a second position in said recessed portion, means for guiding the distal end of said pivotally mounted strip picking means into picking engagement with the free edge of a selected strip upon rotation of said strip receiving member in one direction through a predetermined angle whereby rotation of said strip receiving member in the opposite direction causes the selected strip to be received and translated relative to the transducer unit in a cyclic fashion.

8. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of separate compliant strips each having a magne'tizable surface for storing data, means for maintaining said strips in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said strips in difierent strip picking planes, a read-write station including a housing having an inner cylindrical surface the axis of which is parallel to said free edges, a magnetic transducer unit mounted in said housing, and means for translating a selected one of said strips relative to said transducer unit in a cyclic manner, said translating means comprising a strip receiving member mounted coaxially with said axis for rotational movement relative to said cylindrical surface to cause the recording surface of a received strip to be positioned in recording relationship to said transducer unit, said strip picking means including a pickup body, means mounting one end of said picking means in a recessed portion or" said strip receiving member for pivotal movement from a first strip picking position parallel to said strip picking planes to a second position in said recessed portion, a guide track formed in said housing for guiding the distal end of said strip picking means along a strip picking path extending from the free edge of a selected strip to a point on said selected cylindrical surface in accordance with rotation of said strip receiving member through a predetermined angle whereby rotation of said strip receiving member causes the selected strip to be received and presented to the transducer unit in a cyclic fashion.

9. A data storage apparatus comprising in combination a plurality of compliant magnetizable record strips each having a plurality of parallel recording tracks, means mounting said record strips in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said strips transverse to said tracks and in dillerent parallel strip picking planes, a magnetic transducer unit operable to transfer data representations to and from a selected track of a selected record strip, means for presenting a selected one of said record strips to said transducer unit in a cyclic fashion comprising a strip receiving member mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said strip receiving planes and spaced from said transducer unit to position a received strip in data transferring relationship with said transducer unit, a strip picking means, means mounting said strip picking means in a recessed portion of said member for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said rotational axis, a guide means positioned adjacent said member for guiding the distal end of said picking means during its pivotal movement along a strip path extending from the free edge of the selected strip to a point adjacent the circle subscribed by the rotational surface of said member, means for moving nonselected strips adjacent said selected strip out of their respective planes,

means connected to said member for rotating said member in one direction from a predetermined position to,

bin array including a plurality of bins each having a plurality of cells, each of said bins being movable relative to each other in'parallel planes to position a selected cell for'cyclic presentation to said transducer unit, and means for again reversing said rotation after a predetermined number of cyclic presentations to return said selected strip to its original strip picking plane.

relative to a reference axis disposed mutually perpendicular to said'planes, a movable read-write station comprising a strip picking means, a rotatable shaft, means con meeting said shaft in motion transmitting relationship with said'picking means, means pivotally mounting one'end 10. Ina data storageapparatus havinga plurality of separate compliant record carriers mounted in a closely packed array with corresponding free edges of said carriers engageable by a carrier picking device'and a'transducer unit operableto transfer data toand from selected carriers, the combination comprising a carrier device mounted for rotation relative to said transducer unit to translate a received carrier cyclically past said unit in data transferring relationship thereto, a carrier picking means, means mounting said carrier picking means in a recessed portion of said member for. pivotal movementabout an axis parallel to said rotational axis, guide means positioned adjacent said member for guiding the distal end of said pivotally mounted picking means along-a carrier picking path extendingfrom the free edges of said carriers to a point adjacent "a reference circle'subscribed by the,

rotational surface of said member, means for presenting only a selected carrier to said carrier picking means,

means connected to said member for rotating said mernher in one direction from a predetermined position to move said picking means along said path into picking engagement with the carrier presented by said presenting means, means for reversing-said rotating means to cause said carrier to be completely retracted from said carrier mounting means and wrapped on said member for cyclic presentation to said transducer unit, and means for again reversing saidrotation after a predetermined'number of selected strip to its a plurality of of said picking means to said connecting means to provide for pivotal movement of the distal end of said picking means about an axis parallel to said shaft axis, means for guiding saididistal end along a' path including a continuous re-entrant portion and a strip picking portion extending from a free edge of a selected strip to a point on said continuous portion, and a transducer unit mounted adjacent said continuous portion to transfer data to and from a selected strip, an access system including first means for moving a selected bin' to position a selected cell relative to said reference axis, means for moving said read-write station along said reference axis to position the strip picking portionfof said path relative to a selected group of strips in said cell third means for selecting one of saidstrips in said selected group, and means for providing address signals to said access system, means coupied to said shaft for rotating said shaft to cause move- I ment of said picking means along said strip picking portion of said path to engage said selected strip and cause said strip to be completely retracted from said group for movement along said continuous portion of said path past I said transducer unit for a predetermined number of cycles,

means for'reversing the direction of said rotating means "to movesaid picking means along said carrier picking portion of said path in the reverse direction whereby said segroup.

lected carrier returned to its original position in said 14. A random access data storage apparatus comprising: a plurality of elongated flexible strips for storing data; storage means maintaining the strips in a closely packed array; a read-write station for processing data signal representation ona strip, the read-write station includingla rotatable drum and a transducer mounted in a fixed position and spaced slightly 'from'the drum spaced pivotally mounting one end ofsaid picking'means to said connecting means to provide for pivotal movement of the distal end" of said picking means aboutan axis parallel to said shaft axis, means for guiding said distal endalong a path including a continuous re-entrant portion disposed adjacent said transducer unit and a strip picking portion slightly therefrom; means for transporting a selected strip to the 'read write station; and means for attaching .the-strip'to-the drum for presenting the full length of the selected" strip to the transducer in 'a cyclic'manner to process datathereon, 7

. 15. A random 'access data storage apparatus'compris- 'ing: a plurality of elongated flexible strips for storing data; storage means maintaining the strips in a closely packed array; a read-write station for processing data signal representations on a strip, the read-write station extending from an exposed portion of a selected carrier to a point on said continuous portion, means coupled to said shaft for rotating said'shaft to cause movement of said picking means along said carrier picking portion of f said path to'engage a selected carrier and cause said car- V V lected strip to the transducer. in a cyclic manner to-process rier to be completely retracted from its mounting means for movement along said continuous portion ofsaid path past, said transducer unit'for a predetermined number of cycles, means for reversing the direction of 'said rotating means to move said picking means along said carrier pickingportion of said path inth'e reverse direction whereby said'selected carrier is returned to its original position;

13. A data storage apparatus having a plurality: of sep- 7' V arate compliant record strips, a bin array for mounting said strips with corresponding edges positioned in engageable relationship with a strip picking device, and a includingarotatable drum and a transducer mounted in a fixed position and spaced slightly from the drum spaced slightly therefrom; 'means ,for selecting a desired strip from the array; means 'for transporting the, selected strip to, the read-write station; and means .for attaching the strip to tlieldrum for presenting the full length of thesedata thereon. v V

,16; A random access data storage apparatus comprising: a plurality of elongated flexible strips .for storing fixedposition and spaced slightlyffrom the drum spaced ,slightly therefrom; means for completely Withdrawing the selected strip from the array and transporting it to the read-write station; and means for'attaching the strip to the 'drum for presenting the full length of the strip'to the transducer in acyclic manner to'process data thereon.

s :(nef rences n following page) f References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Potter 340174.1 Begun 340--174.1 X 5 Claybourn et a1 27151 Rugg 271-51 IRVING L. SRAGOW, Primary Examiner.

BERNARD KONICK, EVERETT R. REYNOLDS,

Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CGRRECTION Patent No a 5 ,l76, 279 March 50, 11

Andrew D; Lin et all.

It is hereby certified'that error appears in the above numbered pa ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read a: corrected below.

Column 8, line 53, after "plurality" insert of column 12, lines 42 and 43, 54 and 55 and lines 68 and 69, out "spaced slightly therefrom", each occu'rrenceo Signed and sealed this 24th day of August 19650 (SEAL) A nest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENB Attesting Officer Commissioner of Paten Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 96,488 involving Patent No. 3,176,279 A. D. Li D. D. Willard and D. D. Johnso n, DATA STORAGE APPARATUS, final ud ment adverse to the patentees Was rendered June 12, 1970, as to claims 1, 2, 3, 14, 15 and 16.

[Ofiiez'al Gazette September 8, 1.970.] 

1. A RANDOM ACCESS DATA STORAGE APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE SHORT COMPLIANT NONCYCLIC TYPE RECORD CARRIERS FOR STORING DATA, MEANS FOR STORING SAID CARRIERS IN AN ARRAY, A TRANSDUCER UNIT MOUNTED IN A FIXED POSITION AND OPERABLE TO TRANSFER DATA SIGNAL REPRESENTATIONS TO AND FROM A SELECTED RECORD CARRIER, MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING A SELECTED ONE OF SAID CARRIERS FROM THE ARRAY TO SAID TRANSDUCER UNIT, AND MEANS FOR TRANSLATING THE CARRIER RELATIVE TO SAID TRANSDUCER UNIT IN A CYCLIC MANNER TO PRESENT THE FULL LENGTH OF THE CARRIER TO THE TRANSDUCER UNIT DURING A SINGLE CYCLE OF MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIER. 